Bed-Stuy Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Is Democratic Caucus Chair

BEDFORD-STUYVESANT, BROOKLYN -- U.S Rep. Hakeem Jeffries was elected as Democrats' new caucus chair Wednesday, according to officials and reports.

Jeffries defeated California congresswoman Barbara Lee in a 123-113 vote for the seat left vacant by Congressman Joe Crowley, who lost his primary in Queens to Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez earlier this year, Politico first reported.

“Hakeem is the present and the future,” said New York Democrat Rep. Gregory Meeks, according to Politico. “He’s demonstrated to the caucus that he’s one that can bring us all together.”

Jeffries represents New York's Eighth Congressional District which covers Bed Stuy, downtown Brooklyn, East New York , Coney Island and a section of Queens.

The 48-year-old lawmaker promised fellow Democrats a strong front against President Donald Trump's agenda and that there would be no “bending over backward” to compromise, according to the Politico report.

Jeffries reiterated that message for his constituents on Twitter, once news broke that he had claimed the No. 5 leadership position within the party.

U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) speaks during a markup hearing before the House Judiciary Committee March 29, 2017 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)